Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei's Remarks on Allegations that China will Soon Set up an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the South China Sea

2014/02/04

Q: The Asahi Shimbun carried a report which said that China was planning to establish an ADIZ over the South China Sea. On January 31, the Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department made a statement on the related issue. And the Kyodo News reported that an official from the National Sucurity Council of the White House also touched upon the relevant issue in an interview with the news agency on January 30. What is China's comment?

A: As a sovereign state, China has all the rights to safeguard national security with any means, including establishing the ADIZ in response to the situation of air security. No one is allowed to make irreponsible remarks.

I also want to stress that China-ASEAN relations enjoy a bright prospect. China and ASEAN countries are working together to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in a comprehensive and effective way to safeguard peace and stability in the region. Generally speaking, the Chinese side has not felt any air security threat from ASEAN countries and is optimistic about its relations with neighboring countries in the South China Sea and the overall situation of the region.

Under the current circumstances, the right-wing forces of Japan have repeatedly alleged that China is to set up an ADIZ over the South China Sea. This move is of ulterior motive and simply aimed at diverting the international attention and covering up its attempt to revise the pacifist constitution and expand its military power. We sternly warn these forces not to mislead public opinions with rumors and play up tensions for their own selfish gains. China hopes that relevant parties could be cautious about their words and deeds, maintain a calm and objective stance and work together with China to make concrete contribution to peace and stability of the region as well as security in the air and on the sea.